2011 jaguar xk-series Reviews and News

In honor of Jaguar's 75th anniversary, the company has worked up a limited run of XKR coupes, dubbed XKR175. The "175" stands for 175-car, the total production -- except that Canada gets another 15, but maybe Canada doesn't count. What the 175 should stand for is the car's top speed. The standard XKR is electronically limited to 155 mph, but the XKR175 raises that speed limit all the way to...174 mph. Uh, come on, guys. You couldn't bump it up 1 more?

Top speed, unfortunately, is a largely academic exercise in the USA anyway. At least it was in Monterey, California and environs during the busy Monterey Historics Weekend, when we had a chance to get behind the wheel. The XKR175 did manage to turn a few heads, no mean feat given the other-worldly level of competition-basically, it's the kind of scene where a single traffic jam might include a Ferrari F50, a Lamborghini Murcielago, a Porsche 911 Turbo and a 356, a smattering of vintage Alfas, and a Mercedes SL65 Black Series.

The XKR175 does not wear a whole lot of exterior enhancements, so any attention it does grab really speaks well of the standard XK coupe, which is now going on its sixth year. For the record, the XKR175 adds Absolute Black paint; more extreme front and rear spoilers, lower body extensions, and rear diffuser; and red brake calipers that peek out from behind special, ten-spoke 20-inch wheels. Inside, there's charcoal leather with dark red stitching, black veneers, and door sill plates that say, "XKR175 - 1 of 175" (although we're not sure what the Canadian cars say-maybe, "XKR175 --1 of 15, eh").

If the package isn't terribly special, the XKR itself certainly is. A new, aluminum-block, 5.0-liter V-8, introduced for 2011, bristles with 510 hp and 461 pound-feet of torque. A quick shove of the gas pedal is all it takes to fast-forward the scenery, to the accompaniment of a nice, subdued growl rather than a supercharger whine. Jaguar advertises a 0-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds, but the car feel faster. Happily, the R-spec brakes scrub off speed in a hurry. The six-speed automatic, with standard shift paddles, is so quick, so rev-matching racy, and so smooth around town, that you'll never wish for a dual-clutch gearbox again. The ride is fairly decent, despite the 20-inch wheels and the ultra-wide rubber, and the steering shows no hint of tramlining. A bit more steering effort, however, would be appropriate for this sporting machine.

The cabin is a bit closed in, particularly in charcoal gray, with high window line and limited rear-quarter visibility. At least it's well finished inside. Jaguar has recently given the XK the twist-knob gear selector introduced on the XF, and frankly it's a less sporting solution than a typical gear lever. We're also not enamored of the highly animated touch screen, which demands too much of the driver's attention and has sucked up too many functions better left to individual knobs and switches.

Still, the XK, and particularly the XKR, is a more serious sports GT car than its image suggests. With its black paint, more aggressive aerodynamic aids, and distinctive wheels, the XKR175 -- which is available only as a coupe -- better represents the Jaguar within. The extra top speed would make a better bragging point if it weren't 1 mph shy of the car's name, but perhaps exclusivity alone is reason enough to make buyers pony up the extra $8500 over a standard XKR.

At last, the wait is over: Jaguar has finally released full images and details of its C-X16 concept before its official reveal at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. According to Jaguar, this is a “production concept,” hinting the C-X16 is, in fact, a preview of the long-promised small sports car that’s due within the next few years.

Le Mans’ LMP1 class may no longer be a two-make race in the next few years, with Porsche vowing to return to prototype racing by 2014, and even Toyota reportedly eying a comeback. The field might grow even more now, as Autosport says Jaguar and parent company Tata Motors are also gearing up for competition in LMP1. Though Jaguar currently participates at Le Mans with an XKR competing in the GT class, its real history lies in prototype racing, with the brand claiming seven overall victories at the famed endurance race. Building an LMP1 racer for Le Mans would end Jaguar’s 20-year absence in the prototype field.

Jaguar wants to be back on top of the premium car segment. In order to do that, it needs to make a statement about performance, exclusivity and its ability to play with other world-class car companies. Its newest performance GT might be just the ticket.

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Sound & Entertainment

Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:00

Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Summary

JAGUAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 JAGUAR XK AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XF V8 5.OL GASOLINE ENGINE VEHICLES. THE IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY ACTIVATED AS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IS NOT ENERGIZED FOLLOWING A VEHICLE START UP CYCLE. AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE COULD RESULT.

Consequences

FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE LEADS TO ENGINE STUMBLE FOLLOWED BY ENGINE CUT OUT WITH MINIMAL WARNING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DOWNLOAD REVISED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827.

Potential Units Affected

5,048

Notes

JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 XK convertible vehicles manufactured October 1, 2010, through August 1, 2013. The switch in the overhead roof console also activates the power operated windows when the convertible roof is opening or closing. The switch does not move downward to close the windows. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Consequences

The power windows may inadvertently be activated and pinch or injure an arm or finger.

Remedy

Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the overhead roof console, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2013. Owners may contact Jaguar at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's recall number is J030.